Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Interview with the German Ambassador in Nicosia Dr. Gabriela Guellil (Published in Havadis Newspaper in Turkish on 14 April 2014)

Interview with the German Ambassador in Nicosia Dr. Gabriela Guellil

by Esra Aygin for Havadis Newspaper

What does Germany
think about the newly re-launched negotiations process in Cyprus?

Dr. Guellil: The division of Cyprus has endured
too long. With our own history and Germany’s reunification in mind, the German
government welcomes any tangible progress towards a comprehensive and viable
settlement of the Cyprus problem. We consider the resumption of fully fledged settlement negotiations based on the 11
February Joint Declaration of the two community leaders with the aim to reunite
Cyprus as an important step in this direction. We continue to support a
settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with
relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on
which the European Union is founded. It is important to maintain the momentum
to produce further convergences. It is a difficult task, but not a mission
impossible. Europe stands ready to play its part in supporting the ongoing
negotiations under the auspices of the UN. It has to be underlined that the
settlement of the Cyprus problem would be to the benefit of all Cypriots which
is of particular importance at a time of economic stress and uncertainties. Young
Cypriots need perspectives for a prosperous future, exploiting the islands
potentials jointly. Therefore, any confidence building measures agreed by the
two parties which could contribute decisively to creating a climate of mutual
trust and give impetus to the negotiation process have to be supported.

It seems that the
‘stars are aligned’ with the international community having a heightened
interest in a solution in Cyprus. Would you agree with this? Are you hopeful?

Dr. Guellil: After many unsuccessful efforts to
bring about a settlement to the Cyprus problem, all hopes to achieve the
reunification of the island were focussed on the Annan Plan in 2004, and again
the hope was shattered. The international community has never lost its interest
in the solution of the problem – the UN mission has never been converted into a
permanent one. When the direct negotiations started dwindling away and were
finally suspended from mid 2012 onwards, there seemed to have remained very
limited enthusiasm to break the deadlock. However, behind the curtains, efforts
to overcome the paralysis continued. Certainly, the US played a significant
role there – on many occasions we could witness the American ambassador in
Cyprus advocating the benefits of a solution the charm of creating a win-win
situation, stressing economic challenges and opportunities through regional
cooperation in particular in the area of hydrocarbons. Turkey as well is
playing a constructive role to support the negotiation process and it goes
without saying that a settlement would open up this important market for
Cyprus. It seems that recent positive developments - the resumption of direct
negotiations early this year - have mobilized new hope in the international
community. There is a role for Europe to play, there is a role for European
countries to play. And there is European commitment. The new momentum must be
kept alive and accelerated. Many questions remain, but the will to pull it
through seems to be getting stronger and stronger.

There is a wide belief
that this is the last chance for reunification in Cyprus. Do you believe this
is true?

Dr. Guellil: A history of missed chances seems
to be proving that there is always a possibility for a new start. However, with
the time going by, did the probability to compensate losses and injustice of
the past in a better way increase? The number of Cypriots who have never known
a united country is growing year by year – Cypriots should have the chance to
live a united future.

Do you believe that
the hydrocarbon reserves and the financial crisis serve as motivations for a
solution?

Dr. Guellil: Economy is a factor that counts –
and energy resources are a powerful matchmaker. Certainly, the financial crisis
that has hit Cyprus has resulted in a rising awareness that creative thinking
“out of the box” is needed. The unprecedented crisis can therefore contribute
to open the minds, to consider formats of cooperation in order to accelerate
the exploration of hydrocarbons that so far were no-go areas. In that sense I perceive
a very strong connection between the crisis, hydrocarbon reserves, economic
recovery and the solution of the Cyprus problem.

What would be the
future of Turkish and Greek Cypriots in the absence of a solution?

Dr. Guellil: I do believe
that Cypriots are ready to compromise in order to find a settlement. They are
aware of reality and they will chose the best option which is a common future
in a united country. They know that the future will confront them with many
uncertainties and troubles in the case of a continuation of the status quo.
Almost 25 years after German reunification we are still in the process of
“digesting” many of the consequences, of course, but when the Brandenburg Gate
opened we wanted to go through and enjoy the end of separation. Anything else
would have been far worse.